Whitney Houston died. She was 48. She is considered by many to be one of the most talented singers in the last 30 years. Her death, albeit tragic, was expected. Whitney was a drug addict. She and her husband, Bobby Brown – a real piece of work, got heavily into drugs in the 90s and never had a chance to fully recover. At present nobody actually knows how she died as the present status is “Cause of Death Unknown” – however, sadly, people are already assuming that it was drug related. Why? Whitney’s history.

Whitney came to musical fame in the 80s and went strong into the 90s, petering off a bit after the turn of the century. Many believe that she helped forge the path for the modern day Diva, she and Madonna that is. Madonna took the edgy, sexually empowered direction, whereas Whitney went with strong vocals and an almost pristine persona. Oddly enough it was actually Whitney who ran along the dark side over Madonna. Whitney liked to party – period. She liked partying and everything that it included. In effect her form of escapism was partying based drug use. The real tragedy is the drug use stepped outside the party scene for Whitney, as it has so many before her, and became routine.

Regardless of what the cause of death was (her closest friends are talking about stress), we can only expect her historical significance for the musical world to be tarnished in much the same fashion as some super athletes are by steroid use. Whitney was amazing, no doubt of that, but when talked about people will be compelled to say things like “Whitney Houston sure had an amazing voice, tragic she was a drug addict.” Somehow her amazing skills have been forever marred by her drug use – but why? Consider other great musicians that have died from drug use, it is always the same. “Jim Morrison, amazing singer, real power house, too bad he was a drug addict.” Rinse repeat.

So what don’t musicians get? Drugs will be offered to you on tour, it is a fact of life. You will party. However, what is it that causes these people to forget what drugs really do to you – that being that they kill you. As so many before you have proven, drug use leads to ruin – and a forever marring of your legacy. Is it worth it? If Mass Media really wants to help, which they won’t, then instead of blasting Whitney, as they have so many before her, they will use her as an example of fallen greatness, and how to avoid following her. The Media can focus on the causes, sources, what to avoid, how to get help and many other positive things – I doubt they will though. Instead they will do as they have done so often in the past – make money off of bashing.

To prove that Whitney was awesome I have supplied you with one of the best ever renditions of the National Anthem.